Turban disrespect: Punjab government seeks report

Chandigarh, March 31 (IANS) After ordering the suspension of two police officers and a magisterial inquiry into the incident of a Sikh man’s turban being removed, the Punjab government Thursday asked the state chief secretary to submit a preliminary enquiry report into the incident within two days.

Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal directed Chief Secretary S.C. Agarwal that the enquiry against two police officers, involved in showing disrespect to the turban of a protesting pharmacist, be completed and the report submitted within 48 hours to ensure prompt and exemplary punishment to the guilty.

The Punjab government had Wednesday ordered immediate suspension of two police officers for allegedly removing the turban of a Sikh man during a protest in Mohali town, 10 km from here, on Monday.

Those suspended included a superintendent of police (SP) and a station house officer (SHO) in Mohali.

A magisterial inquiry was also ordered into the incident.

Badal, who is also Punjab’s home minister, also directed that utmost vigil be taken against recurrence of any such incidents. He said that any government officer or official found guilty of showing disrespect to the turban or any religious symbol of any community would be dealt with sternly.

The incident occurred at Mohali Monday where pharmacists from Punjab were holding a protest for their demands and the Punjab Police initiated action to control the crowd.

During the protest, the two police officers were seen removing the turban of a Sikh protestor.